On Mon 15 Sep 2008 03:53:56p, Boron Elgar told us...

> On Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:16:01 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
>
>>
>>I am aware of quite a lot second hand, but documented. I work for a not-
>>for-profit mental health agency where most of our clients are on various
>>state programs.
>
> I have a friend who is helped by just such an agency in a state near
> you. She can work at some jobs if she is on her meds, but once she
> goes to work (always at very low wage and at places that offer no
> insurance) she winds up losing her Medicaid and cannot afford her
> meds. Once she is off meds, her symptoms reappear, she winds up
> losing her job, as she is unable to function, and the whole cycle
> begins again. Catch 22.

This is a very sad situation, and I know it does happen. However, as long
as one of our clients is functional and working, it doesn't necessarily
mean they will lose all state medical benefits. In many instances here,
the state still subsidizes the medications.

> She has no family nearby or able to help, lives in something like an
> SRO hotel, and has a pretty miserable time of it. It is these mental
> health care agencies (or agency, I really do not know how many places
> she goes to or has to report to) that help her get back to sanity and
> job-capable, only to see it all crumble when she can't get meds.

I know this happens, particularly in other areas, and even in other areas
of Arizona. It really depends a lot on the strength of the local agencies.
For example, our agency has numerous group homes as well as private
apartments where many of our clients reside. When they are well enough to
work, they do, but they are still receiving benefits through our agency,
including medications. They receive the medications directly rather than
through prescription programs.

We have facilities for the SMI (severely mentally ill), transition
facilities, and a methadone program which is excellent. The majority of
those in the methadone program are individuals who are employed, but report
to the methadone clinic daily for their dosing. Depending on their wages,
they may have to pay a small sum per dose, but it is a very small sum.

The goal of our organization, as well as many others here in the Valley, is
to get people back on their feet and back into the workplace if at all
possible.

--
Wayne Boatwright

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